German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile German gundog that searches, points and retrieves on land and from water. It is tireless, clever and friendly, and gets on well with children in an active family. Without work and long walks it quickly finds its own entertainment.
Weight
20–32 kg
Height at withers
53–64 cm
Life expectancy
10–14 years
Size
medium
Activity
high
Shedding
moderate
Barking tendency
moderate
Apartment friendly
Not ideal for apartments: it needs a lot of running and work. With owners ready for two or more hours of active exercise every day it can manage, but a house with a yard is better.
Care
Wipe the coat with a rubber mitt weekly; after field walks check paws, ears and coat for burrs and ticks. Avoid feeding right before or after hard exercise — the breed is prone to bloat. Needs at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily plus scent work.
Health
Hip dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), von Willebrand disease, entropion, ear infections, tumours
Coat
Short, dense coat that feels coarse to the touch; liver, liver roan or black with white
Travel
In the car use a secured crate or car harness and stop every 2–3 hours. The short coat gives little protection from cold and wet. Check for ticks after walks in the countryside.
Carrier size
Not allowed in the cabin (20–32 kg, up to 64 cm at the shoulder). Flying requires an IATA crate in the hold, sized to the dog.
Harness size
Usually L, XL for bigger males. A Y-shaped harness that leaves the shoulders free is most comfortable.
Leash
A 1.5–2 m leash for town and a 10 m long line for the field: its hunting drive is strong and it may take off after a scent. A harness is better than a collar.
Airline cabin travel
usually not
Hani Walk — walk tracking, a digital pet passport and vaccination reminders, always at hand in the app.